Lost in the excitement over last night’s Madison Bumgarner slam was the fact that Pablo Sandoval didn’t finish the game. Joaquin Arias entered as a defensive replacement, which wouldn’t be news last year. It wasn’t supposed to happen this year, though, not after Sandoval dropped 30-ish pounds and focused on his defense all spring. Will the ninth inning in 2014 start to resemble the ninth inning in 2013?

“It really depends on where we’re at at the end of the game,” manager Bruce Bochy said. “It’s more a credit to Joaquin and how good he is over there. Pablo had some tough plays. He worked hard on that play (the slow roller to third) and occasionally it has gotten to him. I don’t want to (replace him) a lot. If it’s a tight game, you might see Joaquin.”

Sandoval has two throwing errors in the past two games and also had a real rough game on opening day. Bochy said he’s hopeful that the contract situation isn’t in Sandoval’s head.

“One thing I don’t want Pablo to do is get away from playing the game the way he plays,” Bochy said. “He has a lot of passion and enthusiasm. Thinking about the contract can become a distraction. You’ve got to be who you are, and that’s a great quality of his. He loves to play. He’s not playing for the wallet, and I certainly don’t want that to happen now.”

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— Sergio Romo got a couple of close calls last night in the ninth, but the thing I really noticed was how Hector Sanchez pulled those balls back into the strike zone. He couldn’t do that a year ago.

“He’s really come a long way,” Bochy said. “He’s worked hard at all aspects. The thing about Hector is that he’s taking more pride in what he’s doing behind the plate, studying hitters more and framing pitches better.”

— The Giants were 1 for 11 with runners in scoring position last night and had just six hits. Yet they scored enough to win. Bochy was asked what that says about the lineup. “It says I had a pretty good pitcher up there yesterday,” Bochy said, referring to Bumgarner’s slam.

Bumgarner had something to say this morning, too.

Bochy said Bumgarner joked around this morning, came in and said: "I thought if you hit a homer, you're in there the next day."

Pagan
Belt/Pence
Posey
Morse- have to for now
Belt/Pence
Sandoval
Crawford
Adrianza

Michael Scott

Good to see that.

channelclemente

From your fingers to Jobu’s ears.

totalfan62

Come on Cainer–let’s have a Cainer Quality Start today.

Matthew

I’m down with that…

ClutchUp

Said above — “Sergio Romo got a couple of close calls last night in the ninth, but the thing I really noticed was how Hector Sanchez pulled those balls back into the strike zone. He couldn’t do that a year ago.”

I disagree with the verbiage. What Hector is now doing is catching all pitches quietly. He is also much LOWER with his butt and haunches. “Pulling the ball back in” is not a favorite of most Plate Umpires, although ALL young catchers try it. It appears to be better when catchers use their wrist-hand to subtly notch the pitch back-into the edges of the strike zone. Hector used to JERK his glove to salvage a certain pitch. Many expressions also cover the technique: Framing or ‘Sticking’ a pitch are two.

Atlas

I’ve pretty much had a smile on my face ever since Bum hit that grand slam.

I think I have an actual sheet eating grin, myself. Maybe Bumgarner pinch hits this afternoon.

Bapah

There’s a rumor circulating that he wants to pinch hit now from the bench.

channelclemente

With a beer and nachos.

South City Jim

I might be giving Bum more credit than he deserves but I’d like to think he saw that De La Rosa had completely lost the edges and was anticipating a fast ball right down the gut, similar to his first AB.

ClutchUp

Round of Applause for Hensley Muelens daughter singing the Anthem

totalfan62

Whatever it’s called, it’s a major skill that will lengthen the careers of catchers who are proficient with it. Jose Molina & Ryan Hanigan were featured in Sports Illustrated’s pre-season issue.

ClutchUp

I’m even doing dry-snot rockets as homage. Much better than those vintage dry heaves.

Atlas

If we’re going off this season’s results so far, it actually wouldn’t be the worst idea… 😉

Bapah

A little problem with Posey in front of Belt just because of speed, but not bad.

Atlas

Nah, definitely not more credit than he deserves.

Matthew

Didn’t hear it on CSNBA… Did she nail it?

Michael Scott

No surprise, I like mine better. I don’t like moves that sound like punishment. And Crawford is doing just fine in the 7 or 8.

ClutchUp

Wondering if you heard Bochy on his pregame show. Amazingly he said that Bum knew that when any pitcher comes to the plate when the pitcher has just walked the hitter prior, that all Pitchers are told to take pitch one. On the other hand, knowing that, the Pitcher is told to throw a fast ball down the middle to their opposing pitcher.

Advantage – Bumgarner!

ClutchUp

That is why I put Pence in front of Pablo.

South City Jim

I only suggest that because apparently the manager of the Rox hadn’t noticed it.

ClutchUp

Spot on! Quick, soulful and like it’s meant to be sung,

ClutchUp

Ronnie Reagan Blue

ClutchUp

Miller ended is early taping of the Bochy show and the door opened and Bum walked in:

My kingdom for a pitcher who will work a left-handed hitter up in the zone (preferably in), instead of to what is usually their strength

Michael Scott

What he did a lot before was pull low pitches lower and out of the SZ.

Matthew

Krakow…jeez. Buddy. Take a breath before making stupid statements… “Posey should have had it”….you make more mental errors than the Giants. THAT’S your keys to the game

Michael Scott

Pablo is running much better this year

ClutchUp

Radio here for me: Sounds like Pablo made a nice play.

DrLefty

He stayed with it. Not like the ones where he’s gone headfirst into the stands, though!

ClutchUp

Not easy for a righthanded firstbaseman to recover a poor throw. LHanded Belt = much easier.

On the other hand Matty: Our announcers are better than around the league.

ClutchUp

LOL

ClutchUp

amen

Matthew

Ball dude with a huge assist, too…got the stool out of the way and got small.

Very nice play by Pablo.

ClutchUp

Ducksnort=Line drive in the book

Matthew

Followed with a really, really bad at bat. Wow.

totalfan62

Very poor AB from Pablo. Also…just gotta say–hope the Giants have weekly weigh-ins for the Panda.

Bapah

I have to agree with Clutch. After listening to and watching others announce games for five years all over the country, I couldn’t wait to hear Kruk, Kuip and Jon again. It’s a Bless.

channelclemente

He also induced a bunch of seizures with that glove flapping he did in very beginning, and who can forget his patty cake with the ground when he wanted it down low.

channelclemente

Could young Mr. Cain have gotten a handle on things? That was a great pitch to get Morneau out.

Doughnut

Great location and had a little something extra on it. Great to see. He looks very sharp but he has still made a couple mistakes in the game but big difference.

Doughnut

That was the first replay i saw of the darren ford play. That looked pretty terrible.

Matthew

I do agree with the talent here… So, it may come off as overstating. And, it is picky…I find he likes to hear himself talk too much and is tremendously fortunate to have someone as smooth as Kuiper , who has the confidence to defer and let Mike riff. He has a tendency to annoy me with his predictable schtick.

Bapah

I don’t deny he’s amusing in so many ways.

channelclemente

Exactly, he just hasn’t had that late ball action that made his BABIP such an astonishing feature of him as a pitcher.

Atlas

I always feel anxious for the Giants to score runs early when Cain starts because the opposing team often eventually has a 2 or 3-run inning…. Let’s go Gs.

channelclemente

I used to enjoy Harry Kalas when he did the Astro games.

ClutchUp

When his K’s are UP, it means he is locating and his ball is running late…

ClutchUp

I asked my neighbor who is an ATT groundskeeper and he said 48 is still the same as ST.

ClutchUp

Krukow has a huge UP side and then he has many ways and dialogue that does the opposite…. The Oracles Ex Wife had the same flaws.

Bapah

There have been a handful that have been very entertaining, but I will always have a soft spot for Vinny. Not only did I grow up with him, but he’s still one of the best ever. I just hate the CWS Hawk, however. Can’t hit mute fast enough.

Matthew

You and your darn predictions…uh oh.

Atlas

Hey that one’s not an official prediction though! Just an observation from over the years…

ClutchUp

I’ve said this when Sandoval was PHAT and it is still true now. Hitting coaches/gurus try and take the 60’6″ and teach hitters to cut them in to very unequal thirds. Out of the hand hitters are taught to pick up “wrist behind ball or on the side”. The middle third is trying to determine “In-Middle” or “Middle-Away”. The last 12 feet is for the decision of NOT swinging because all good hitters are hitting until they say NO.

Sandoval would actually be a better hitter if he only hit one way. He seems to have a front-eye-back-eye weakness – as – one of them is very dominant compared to the other. IMO that Pablo doesn’t/can’t – see or pick up the ball like many others.

Matthew

OK…we won’t record it in the Atlas Book of Predictions.

StevenAlanMitchell

Unequal thirds. You are learning well.

livefreerdi

Giants are winning so far despite having more runs stolen against them than they are stealing. Is that sustainable?

ClutchUp

Obviously wasn’t written for your ilk.

StevenAlanMitchell

What will that do? The only thing they could do is say we will Not play you if you get above a certain weight. The fact that they don’t have anyone else to play there, it’s an empty threat.

His money is already guaranteed.

ClutchUp

You’re stuck on your last year musings…. All teams dna are different. Runners have green lights. They are given stop signs, not steal signs. That steal of third was stolen because Cain’s looks to second were too predictable. I am surprised Sanchez did not throw to the “back base”

livefreerdi

Bigger problem … Cain set to get another 5 innings today, pitch-countwise. Here comes pitcher No. 13 from the minors

Matthew

You are likely right about his eyes, but I also see him having an issue with a mental approach. There is an anxiousness on many at bats when I know he will be hacking. So do the catcher and pitcher.

In his last at bat, he tired to be too patient on the first two pitches…fat and down the middle…then you could see his anxiety ratchet up…Rosario called a Pablo special way up…Anderson threw it perfect, and Pablo went…

So, he may have a physical issue with his eyes. I also feel he has an aggression that sees him swing in patterns that are manipulated by opponents at times.

Doughnut

Looks like he has it today. How many balls have been squared up? Maybe none. And he is getting popups from the high fastball, another great sign

totalfan62

Great coach-speak, Coach.

channelclemente

Cain is noticeably sharper than I’ve seen him in quite some time. is pitches are just hopping in the zone.

Doughnut

I see the same thing. He has clearly made adjustments. He looks fantastic. Location and the late action he needs

StevenAlanMitchell

But you specifically wrote unequal thirds after your post a while back about managers splitting games into thirds, ( 3 inning, 4 inning, 2 inning). Must be coincidence then.

ClutchUp

Spot on – but I think his hitting anxiety is born from him knowing that he has visual deficiencies and it makes him prone to complete confusion at the plate. His eyes were never fixed as a youngster and that is where he developed and honed his hitting DNA as in all or nothing. He doesn’t get any bloop singles, broken bat singles or rolled through the hole singles and I think that is a telling sign.

channelclemente

If that’s the case, hes going to have to move in the box, and close his stance, if possible.

Doughnut

Need a quick inning from Cainer and keep the pitch count down

Bapah

Do they have free Wi-Fi at the park?

DrLefty

We were at his ST start where he had five perfect innings. He looked as sharp as during the actual perfect game. I think he barely threw 60 pitches. That was only a month ago, so I know he’s still got it in him.

DrLefty

Yep.

channelclemente

I wonder about the cause. Maybe three years ago, he had a rough start of the season and later it was revealed he had those bone chips moving about causing inflammation and nerve irritation. Since those nerves manage finger pressure among other things, I wonder if he’s had to deal with that same issue this year.

StevenAlanMitchell

There’s no such thing as free wi-fi

Matthew

Wish the Ghiradelli’s hot fudge sundaes were free

totalfan62

That will be Affeldt. Sure hope we’re getting good Affeldt…

Bapah

Then all those people in the cove could watch games on their phones or tablets. Sweeeet.

channelclemente

His 2B behind him problems are still there too.

DrLefty

You could only watch them if you had an IP address that was elsewhere. The MLB.TV would be blacked out. But you definitely could listen to the audio.

The Oracle

There was no upside there.

Matthew

Now THAT was a good sign…Craw called off Pablo, and 48 backed off. He had made a few errors last season going too far left.

DrLefty

When they were doing “Blow Up Candlestick” night, I was thinking about the Frosty Malts. Remember those? Nothing but pure chemicals, and it was always butt-cold out there, but I had one every single time I went to the Stick, I think. The Ghirardelli hot fudge sundaes are better. And pricier.

channelclemente

My mouth fell open.

Bapah

Well, we all know how to do that, so no problem. Unless the IP address of the wi-fi predominates.

DrLefty

I myself watch Warriors games from my winter home in Eastern Canada.

Bapah

I often watch from Scotland.

channelclemente

Duck, duck, goose.

ClutchUp

JoBu at work. Anderson hurts hand, fingers while swinging the bat.

channelclemente

Yeah, and your nickname is cool breeze.

DrLefty

That’s the thing with Anderson–nice pitcher, can never stay healthy.

Doughnut

Rockies bullpen has some serious holes in it, especially if you get to it this early.

Matthew

Holes like a doughnut! Bada BOOM!

ClutchUp

Throws at San Jose tonight. They had a 5-1 deficit last night and he was not used….The day before he said he was nervous trying to strike out the “beer batter”…

Doughnut

You guys are making me hungry

ClutchUp

Your wardrobe must be varied…

SurfCity

Quelle horreur!

Matthew

I was with you those…I can still taste the tongue depresser sized wood spatula aftertaste that came with it. Those were awesome…

DrLefty

The cable channel that I PAY FOR is blacked out by the $%&#@ Sacramento Kings.

CU, I get it. But, don’t you feel his struggles stand out a bit? That comes with the territory of stardom and expectations. And, he seems to be a lightning rod…with his agents help. That was another anxious at bat. I see it being way in his head.

Hawkins might be getting closer to 50 years old. The Giants better look into their Friday night-after games behavior. Did not seem prepared or rested except family man Matt Cain. Very disappointing for all concerned.

Matthew

Cainer deserved better today

SurfCity

Was he a family man when he pitched bad earlier this season?

…scotch

Bochy needs to start giving Panda the ‘take sign’ when he’s 0 & 2…

SurfCity

It’s in the eyes of the beholder mostly.

DrLefty

Crawford’s seeing the ball well, righties and lefties. Move him up in the lineup. Keep Morse behind Buster for now. And for Gouda’s sake, don’t bat Pence and Pablo 2/3 when they’re both well under .200.

SurfCity

Snorkel’s going to call you out on that one.

South City Jim

It seems like the count is always 0-2 when Pablo’s up.

Matthew

True, Surf…true. I am trying to take a new understanding approach with him…I slipped today

South City Jim

I don’t really feel like a season has officially started until Cain’s been cained. You know it’s going to happen so best to get it out of the way early.

DrLefty

At least Cain pitched well. That’s a HUGE silver lining. The Rox have a very legit lineup, and he pretty much shut them down.

South City Jim

Absolutely. Made Gonzalez and Morneau look silly.

South City Jim

I was picking on Weiss last night but to be fair, the double steal won the game for them. Without that, the game’s still being played.

stickman

Cained once again at ATT. Perhaps the name of the venue is bad karma. It is an evil corporation that’s adding to the investor’s bottom line. But aren’t they all of that nature these days. Willie Mays Field, everybody. Make it happen. He is still with us, the greatest player to ever don spikes. What a statement that would make.

Then there’s the matter of Pablo and of bullhead Bochy batting him third after all he has done to this team in recent days. Striking out in the bottom of the 8th with the sacks jammed is only the latest of his flatulence on the field. He seriously needs to sit for awhile and contemplate his sins. Perhaps his brother should put him on a high puerco fat with very low carbs and no sugar type of Venezuelan diet. Einstein defined insanity along the lines of if something keeps not working out, just keep on doing it till things change. Well, pressure’s mounting on BB15 to do something about Sandoval.

Good news did happen, even if the previously knock and sock Giants offense is starving on home cookin ~ against he Rox pen no less. Cailn pitched a whale of a game and went seven innings, saving the pen from developing meltdown symptoms.

Huddy tomorrow. Maybe luck will stick with him. Good luck that is.

stickman

Amen, Sister. Amen.

ClutchUp

Thank you (tell Michael)

ClutchUp

You may have gotten my point anyway… BUT I do see yours. Day game after a night game, some, not all, baseball players know how to conserve and be ready.

Huddy tomorrow.

SurfCity

The silver lining is that he appears to be pitching better.

SurfCity

Definitely understood your point. I was just having fun with it. The murderer’s row took the day off, for whatever reason.

ClutchUp

Damn I was still hoping that Hector tried to get the back runner, then Tulo’s fly ball was out number three…

South City Jim

Good point. I was thinking the same thing. Blackmon’s a blur.

Moooooooooose

Then it’s doubly awesome how he is leading the team in walks!

Moooooooooose

Who got two of the three hits today?

Moooooooooose

Good thing they lost. If I remember right, one of their problems last year was too many comeback wins.

ClutchUp

Crawls
Pablo

Moooooooooose

Way to go Crawls!!

BALDHEADSLIK1

Me and Mrs slick left the house at 10 30 this am for car maintenance and still haven’t returned home yet because we both had a bad feeling about today’s game. Go get em tomorrow TH

pacman68

Agreed, that seems pretty stupid and bullheaded to keep batting those 2 together. They are both free swingers as well. Get with it Bochy,

NoShame09

Not to jump on you, but now were getting on Pablo for being too thin? C’mon. The guy is going to come through. He’s a great ballplayer, you know he’s going to finish with 25 jacks and 80 rbis.

Dodgerblue

Dodgers will be first by the end of the day. Everything is in order once again.

NoShame09

Cainer definitely blew it on that one. But he got cained today, yet again. The guy can’t even make a single mental error, which will cost him a trip to Cooperstown.

NoShame09

Not until you cuddle with your pig tonight next to the trough.

paul in p.v.

You’re right Surf – he wuz ashamed for me – but I wish they’d give that kid a day off…

paul in p.v.

Truer words were never spoken. :o) snorkel

paul in p.v.

Snorkel chuckled hard at that one! :o)

paul in p.v.

Strong move Slick, but Cain was his Old Self, which makes this not a bad day at all. He caught an out at first in the 7th (grounder to Posey) and threw the ball 1 million miles-per-hour around the horn – felt sorry for Craws on that one! :o)

paul in p.v.

Snorkel luvs Gouda.

paul in p.v.

Move him to 2B! ;o)

paul in p.v.

But he was nasty Matthew – glad to see that.

paul in p.v.

Hawkins looks 25 – I want some of those pills! (No PEDS implied here.) That dude is so much better than 2005 when he pitched for the Gints.

paul in p.v.

Amen, C/U. Snorkel

BALDHEADSLIK1

I guess this means a WS appearance because your dodgers are in 1st place almost 2 weeks into the season, man your lucky?

channelclemente

Even losing, given the way Cain pitched, and the stuff he had, this was a good day, I think. The run the Rockies scored was on a potential mental goof by Arias, so it was out of Cains hands pretty much anyway.

ClutchUp

WoW=POTUS Ron Reagan

ClutchUp

Arias? How so?

BALDHEADSLIK1

Yeah I like Cain it’s to bad about today’s game. Its becoming comical with all of the losses for his career because of lack of run support. His record would be so much more impressive with a little bit more O support over the years.

channelclemente

I thought he should have played the ball and not the runner on that weak grounder to 2B.

Matthew

But that was the play call, CC..it wasn’t a mental goof, it was the coverage he was assigned.

I thought that Cain’s post game was more spot on-he failed to hold the runner that eventually led to the run

channelclemente

IMO, when the ball was hit, the call goes out the window with the reality in front of you. It isn’t a big issue, but that sense, IMO, is what makes Arias a back bencher. It wasn’t the runner advancing, it was not getting the one out. Just an opinion.

Matthew

Cool..I can see your point…he did look like he was on skates…

channelclemente

Craig on how the split is supposed to be at 90+ mph pitch. It’s really not an off speed or change up.

The Dodgers are going to run away with things because of the Giants’ inability to beat up the bad teams in the division (AZ, COL)

SurfCity

It’s all good. I mean, he’s definitely not playing great so far. But all I meant is, that if people look for reinforcement of what they already think. Happens to the best of us!

NoShame09

I don’t know who (or what) snorkel is, but that was pretty funny on your part. May the snorkel be with you.

NoShame09

10 games in and you’re making predictions? You should apply for a job at ESPN, only thing is that you’re 11 games late. Go play a simulated video game or something kid.

Eleuthero

I don’t see the Dodgers-running-away as a “prediction” so much as a stark acknowledgement of the talent differential on the two teams. I “predicted” .500 for the Giants this year strictly based on hard data. What’s that data? We have a very weak bench, a more-of-the-same lineup except we’ve got Scoots with back problems and a guy in left whose major league history is mostly about surgery and very slow speed. What’s that AA slogan about the definition of insanity being to do the same things over and over and expecting a different outcome??

Eleuthero

Bah. Typical fanboy optimism “No Shame”. Great ballplayer? He’s never going to be a great-fielding third baseman and, frankly, I think he’s the least intelligent position player on the team. He’s slow and for a man with his frame his 17 HR/season average is not what we expect from a position that’s almost always a “power” position on a team. He hasn’t even passed 80 RBI since his TRUE rookie season in 2009. Fat, mesomorphic, or thin, I think a lot of people in the stands and the front office are a little tired of six years of “potential”.

Eleuthero

I pick on Bochy for NOT trying to use Pagan, Pence, and Crawford’s speed to do anything innovative. Weiss was shrewd because he saw that this was going to be a low-scoring game, therefore the element of surprise was needed to scratch out some runs. I’d love to see Crawford bat second so that we’d have our speed front-loaded at the start of the lineup so we could do something innovative on the base paths for a change.

Eleuthero

On THIS point I heartily agree with you. This guy’s career ERA of 3.37 should EASILY translate to a .600 lifetime W-L record. Instead he’s at .511 which is a horrible travesty. The average seasonal ERA in the NL over the past five years is around 3.9-4.0. Tim Hudson’s career ERA is 3.43 and his W-L line is 207-111 which is .651. Hudson isn’t first ballot but I bet he makes the HoF and Cain simply won’t.

paul in p.v.

Snorkel is the feline Giants fan – see photo.

NoShame09

Geez, I need to really school up on my giants mascots. I have never heard of that before.

paul in p.v.

Not trying to be a smart alec – he’s my favorite old (18) cat, and sits by my side as I watch Giants game on mlb.com down here in Mexico. Snorkel has pulled Los Gigantes thru many a pinch. ;o)